Ceramics just out of the kiln!

The process of making ceramics has been going on for me very slowly. But, here are some things that were just fired. Mostly I've been working in red clay and experimenting with translating what I do on canvas and panels to clay. But the second photo is of a bowl made of white clay, and the last photo is porcelain. I have one more "ruffle pot" coming out of the kiln that was glazed, where this one was not, so I'm anxious to see the difference. I love working with clay and porcelain because it makes me really be thoughtful and intentional about everything I do, and yet the whole process is very unpredictable! It's a weird dynamic, but it must be good for me on some level because I keep going back for more. And I can't say enough about what a fine teacher Ingrid Bathe is. She has taught me so much, and in a way that allows me my own space and expression. She is participating in the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show at the convention center in Philadelphia next week, so if you are in that area check it out.

Maja Ruznic and In the Make Blog

Maja Ruznik is a west coast artist who has just been featured over at In the Make, here. You may have seen her painting on the cover of New American Paintings a few issues back as well. The thing I want to bring to your attention is the video clip she did for In the Make about her creative process, and her background. The article at In the Make opens with the video. She says something in there about her mother giving her the freedom to make her own images by not telling her they were pretty. I think this is often missed...that by telling a child something is good or pretty we give a kind of criticism that can lessen their freedom to create.  And the more I learn about making art, the more I see that it is about personal freedom.

Turning it Down a Notch

I have not been here lately because life is so full of things I must do. Things I want to do. Unexpected things that must be attended to. Election worries. I feel the urge to run away from all of those responsibilities by finding, and pinning, pretty pictures on Pinterest. Online activities are so seductive; so easy, compared to living real life day to day. I must remind myself that pinning pictures of life, and what others create, is not the same as living my own life and creating my own art. I know that sounds lame, but I can actually convince myself that I've done something by pinning! And yet, it is a way to see more than I would see, and to be inspired, or to get specific ideas for the kitchen we need to remodel, and to connect, however superficially, to others. But only to a certain extent. I was reminded of this one evening last week when I went over to Heidi Swanson's blog 101 Cookbooks, here, and saw one of her "favorites lists". As I connected to her links I was aware of a loosening of tension in my body, and a feeling of well-being which I don't normally feel online. Usually my mental state is that of a pointer dog in search of the quarry...all nose and running legs, trying to sniff out and catch the interesting tidbit. But these links Heidi put up were comforting, showing a wide-ranging and genuine interest in life. She had obviously really read and been enriched by these articles, books and videos. It got me thinking about what really has captured and held my interest lately. So I'm going to share some of those here, in my own "favorites list" of sorts. I think the most important thing about this list is that it contains things that I do, and will do, and experience, in real life. That's what I finally realized makes me feel strung out online...too much looking and not enough experiencing.

Tea. I love tea because it stimulates at the same time as it calms and makes me feel relaxed. Not the same experience as coffee at all. I need the coffee in the morning, but by afternoon, give me tea. And this video, All This Tea, is a taste of a beautiful documentary on tea. I posted about this a few years ago, but it's worth revisiting. And I found the perfect everyday tea for me is Yorkshire Gold.

Rosa Nguyen. She is an artist who works in ceramics and glass, and bases her forms on nature. I've admired the intuitive the way she works in clay since she was featured in Contemporary Natural, by Phyllis Richardson and Solvi dos Santos. Here is a shot from that book.

A couple of cookbooks have to make it into any favorites list of mine. An enduring one for me is Cafe Beaujolais, by Margaret Fox and John Bear. I still can't find better chocolate cake recipes than hers. There is just something about cookbooks which are really memoirs that I find fascinating. The engagement with food is so deep in this one, and in another favorite of mine, Pass The Polenta, by Teresa Lust. I've also found Sauces, by Louise Pickford to be very useful and pretty simple. 

If you have never seen the documentary on Bill Cunningham, take a look at the trailer here, and watch it! Especially if you think fashion is an art form, and want a little inspiration about living a vibrant life.

Swann's Island Blankets are still a favorite. I'd like to own one someday! Every time I think I've got the money saved something in the house breaks down. Such is life. Meanwhile I can dream, and so can you by going over here. Wool is just about as low tech as you can get, and I'm for that.

That's probably enough for now. If you've made it this far I'd be amazed. All this talk about the issues with being online so much, and here I am encouraging you to spend more time here! But there is that connection thing.